Finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin, ecologically sound resin composition comprising the same, and ecologically sound molded resin article using the composition

ABSTRACT

An object of the invention is to provide a finely cut paper product exhibiting a good workability in the production of a paper-resin composition comprising a mixture of a resin and a natural fiber, and improve the fluidity of an ecologically sound paper-resin composition using the finely cut paper product, so as to improve the moldability thereof when the composition is subjected to a working such as injection molding. An other object thereof is to restrain the generation of yellowing or the generation of an odor. 
     The finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to the invention is obtained by pulverizing neutral or alkaline pigment-free coated paper which comprises 70 to 100% by mass of hardwood bleached chemical pulp, 0 to 20% by mass of softwood bleached chemical pulp and 0 to 20% by mass of an inorganic filler, and has an ISO brightness of 70% or more. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition comprising it comprises 50% or more by mass of the above-mentioned finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin, wherein the balance is made mainly of a synthetic resin, or wherein the main component is made of the above-mentioned finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin and a biodegradable resin.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2005/016129, filed Sep. 2, 2005 and claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2005-083994, filed Mar. 23, 2005. The International Application was published in Japanese on Sep. 28, 2006 as International Publication No. WO 2006/100793 under PCT Article 21(2). The contents of the above applications are incorporated herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a finely cut paper product suitable when a paper-resin composition comprising a mixture of a resin and a natural fiber is produced, and an ecologically sound paper-resin composition using the finely cut paper product. More specifically, this finely cut paper product is a product having an improved workability when the product is compounded into a resin. The paper-resin composition, into which the finely cut paper product is incorporated, is of an ecologically sound type, and further has quality equivalent to that of conventional resin compositions. The invention also relates to a paper-resin composition which is used to give a molded product which less yellows and causes the generation of an odor to be decreased.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, resin compositions comprising various synthetic resins, and various molded products made by use thereof have been produced and used in many amounts. About molded products each using some resin, such as polyester resin, the collection, regeneration, and reuse thereof have been advancing. However, under the present circumstances, many resin molded products are incinerated or disposed of as in combustibles. In the case that the resin compositions are incinerated, there are caused problems that incinerators are damaged since high calories are generated when the compositions are incinerated, and other problems.

As manners for solving the problems, attention is paid to a composition into which not only a synthetic resin but also wood flour or a finely cut paper product as a filler are incorporated (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open (JP-A) No. 2001-270508) and use of a biodegradable resin, which can be naturally degraded, instead of any synthetic resin (see, for example, JP-A No. 2002-272573) under a situation that high cares are taken of the environmental. These manners have been partially put into practical use.

Compositions comprising a natural fiber and a resin are known, and various suggestions are made. However, there are not a very large number of examples wherein about the structure of a natural fiber material to be used, in particular, that of a paper or pulp pulverized product is specified. As a technique wherein a fiber material for being blended with resin is specified, use of a pulverized product of paper or pulp wherein the amount of chlorine-containing materials is made as small as possible is suggested (see, for example, JP-A No. 2003-73988).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, the most serious problem at the time of using a paper or pulp pulverized product as a fiber material for being blended with resin is that the pulverized product becomes very bulky with ease. When the bulky pulverized product is mixed with and kneaded into a resin having a relatively high bulk specific gravity, the pulverized product damages work efficiency and production efficiency remarkably. Thus, a pulverized product having a higher bulk specific gravity is desired.

About compositions wherein a resin is blended with a finely cut paper product, the fluidity thereof becomes lower as the proportion of the finely cut paper product becomes higher. It becomes therefore difficult that the blend of 50% or more by mass thereof, by which the resultant will belong to the category of paper, is attained. For this reason, finely cut paper products having a good fluidity are desired.

However, suggestions are hardly known about technical means making it possible to attain these two subjects at the same time.

Moreover, a problem of the composition made of a synthetic resin and wood flour is that when high temperature heat is applied thereto, the wood flour gets discolored so that a white composition is not easily produced.

In the case that paper is used instead of wood flour, discoloration can be considerably restrained when the paper is woodfree paper, wherein bleached chemical pulp is used. Thus, a white paper-resin composition can be obtained. In the case that brightness is further required, titanium oxide or calcium carbonate is usually blended therewith. According to these countermeasures, yellowing in the appearance can be decreased to such an extent that attention is hardly paid to the yellowing; however, it was found out that when water splashes the paper-resin composition or the molded product, there is generated a phenomenon that the region that the water splashes yellows locally. The mechanism thereof is not necessarily evident. The inventors have examined the mechanism. As a result, it has been proved that the phenomenon is caused by a matter that a water-soluble colored component in the paper-resin composition is extracted into a layer of water adhering on the surface thereof, and this component originates from the paper in used. When such a phenomenon is caused, the quality and the appearance of the molded product are remarkably damaged. Thus, it is desired to develop a paper-resin composition which does not yellow even if the composition is splashed by water or is immersed into water. However, no literatures are found in which yellowing of paper-resin compositions, in particular, a yellowing phenomenon in which water is involved is positively taken up.

Dependently on the paper in used, not only yellowing but also an odor may be generated. There is caused, in particular, a problem that heat when the composition is molded causes the generation of an odor and the odor remains in the molded product on occasion. It has been desired to solve the problem.

Thus, a first object of the present invention is to provide a finely cut paper product exhibiting a good workability in the production of a paper-resin composition comprising a mixture of a resin and a natural fiber, and improve the fluidity of an ecologically sound paper-resin composition using the finely cut paper product, so as to improve the moldability thereof when the composition is subjected to a processing such as injection molding. When this object is attained, the blending ratio of the finely cut paper product can be made high.

A second object of the invention is to provide an ecologically sound paper-resin composition that contains paper but causes a remarkable decrease of yellowing based on heat in the step of processing the composition, in particular, yellowing in which water is involved, and that simultaneously restrains the generation of an odor.

A third object of the invention is to provide an ecologically sound molded product which-uses the above-mentioned ecologically sound paper-resin composition, which contains paper but less yellows, in particular, less yellows even when water splashes the molded product, and which simultaneously less generates an odor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have made eager investigations about relationship between the composition/form of paper used in a finely cut paper product and the finely cut paper product, and relationship between the composition/form and the workability when the product is mixed with a resin or the quality of the paper-resin composition obtained at this time. As a result, it has been found out that the above-mentioned objects can be simultaneously attained by selecting a paper species having a specified composition/form from various paper species, so that the present invention has been made. Accordingly, the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to the present invention is a product obtained by pulverizing neutral or alkaline pigment-free coated paper which comprises 70 to 100% by mass of hardwood bleached chemical pulp, 0 to 20% by mass of softwood bleached chemical pulp and 0 to 20% by mass of an inorganic filler, and has an ISO brightness of 70% or more.

The finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to the invention preferably comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler. The product has a high brightness. Thus, a bad effect given onto the lifespan of the blade of any pulverizer is small.

The finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to the invention preferably has an apparent bulk specific gravity of 0.1 or more, so that the work efficiency for compounding the product into a resin becomes good.

The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to the invention is a composition comprising 50% or more by mass of the above-mentioned finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin, wherein the balance is made mainly of a synthetic resin. The paper-resin composition referred to herein is a mixture wherein a paper component and a resin component are mixed therewith by kneading them.

The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to the invention is made mainly of the above-mentioned finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin and a biodegradable resin.

The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to the invention preferably comprises a rosin-based resin. The fluidity of the composition is improved, so that softness can be given thereto.

The ecologically sound molded article according to the invention is molded by use of the above-mentioned ecologically sound paper-resin composition.

The finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin of the invention is good in workability in the production of a paper-resin composition comprising a mixture of a resin and a natural fiber. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition using this finely cut paper product is good in fluidity, and is good in moldability when the composition is subjected to a processing such as injection molding. Moreover, the blending ratio of the finely cut paper product in the ecologically sound paper-resin composition can be made high. In the ecologically sound paper-resin composition of the invention, which comprises the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin, yellowing on the basis of heat in the step of working the resin, in particular, yellowing in which water is involved is remarkably less caused although the composition contains paper. Simultaneously, the composition is restrained from generating an odor. The ecologically sound molded product of the invention, using the ecologically sound paper-resin composition, contains paper; however, yellowing is less caused, in particular, yellowing is less caused even when water splashes the molded product. Simultaneously, an odor is less generated therefrom. As a result, the product can be applied to the field of food.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in detail hereinafter. However, the invention is not interpreted so as to be limited to the description.

The finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to the invention is obtained by pulverizing neutral or alkaline pigment-free coated paper which comprises 70 to 100% by mass of hardwood bleached chemical pulp, 0 to 20% by mass of softwood bleached chemical pulp, and 0 to 20% by mass of an inorganic filler, and has an ISO brightness of 70% or more. In the invention, the pigment-free coated paper is coated paper which does not contain any pigment in its coated layer, or uncoated paper.

The paper used in the invention is any paper classified into the so-called woodfree paper or waste paper thereof, or may be any pulp sheet (hereinafter, these paper species will be collectively called “paper”). The pulp which constitutes the paper used in the invention needs to be bleached chemical pulp. The bleached chemical pulp is not particularly limited in the kind thereof, and may be bleached sulfite pulp or bleached kraft pulp, the by the name of which is BSP or BKP, respectively. It is preferred to avoid using unbleached chemical pulp. It is preferred to avoid using mechanical pulp or semichemical pulp even if the pulp is bleached. It is also preferred to avoid using waste paper from paper containing the pulp, which is classified to wood containing paper. Known examples of the mechanical pulp include GP, TMP, CTMP, and bleached pulps thereof. In unbleached pulp, mechanical pulp, and semichemical pulp, lignin remains in a remarkable amount; even when the brightness of the finely cut paper product and the paper-resin composition is high, lignin causes yellowing or an odor in subsequent steps.

The fiber which constitutes bleached chemical pulp is very important. It is more preferred that the fiber length is shorter. Ordinarily-used fiber is hardwood fiber. The blending ratio of the hardwood bleached chemical pulp used in the invention in the paper is indispensably at least 70% or more by mass, more preferably 80% or more by mass. The blending ratio is desirably higher. If the ratio is less than 70% by mass, there are caused problems that the bulk specific gravity increases and the strength of the mixture with the resin lowers, and other problems although the effect of the pulp is varied in accordance with the constituent material of the balance. Softwood fiber, which generally has a longer fiber length than hardwood fiber, is incorporated into paper in order to give strength to the paper in many cases. However, it is more preferred that the proportion of softwood fiber, that is, softwood bleached chemical pulp in the invention is smaller. The blending ratio thereof in the paper is at most 20% or less. If the ratio is more than 20% by mass, the bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product is small so that the kneading-workability into the resin deteriorates. Thus, the fluidity of the resultant paper-resin composition also lowers.

It is necessary that the blending ratio of the inorganic filler in the paper is 20% or less by mass. If the ratio is more than 20% by mass, the strength of the paper-resin composition lowers and further a bad effect is given onto the lifespan of the blade of any pulverizer. The kind of the used inorganic filler is preferably at least one selected from calcium carbonate and talc from the viewpoint of the brightness thereof and the lifespan of the blade. The use of calcium carbonate is preferred since neutral paper is obtained even if no pH-adjustment with a chemical is performed. The kind of the calcium carbonate is more preferably light calcium carbonate from the viewpoint of the wear characteristics thereof. An advantage of the use of talc is that talc is excellent in wear characteristics. These fillers may be used alone or in a mixture form. The incorporation of an inorganic filler other than these fillers causes no problem if the amount thereof is small. It is however preferred to use a filler without giving bad effect to wear characteristics of any pulverizer.

The paper in use is preferably paper comprising 70 to 100% by mass of hardwood bleached chemical pulp, 0 to 20% by mass of softwood bleached chemical pulp and 0 to 20% by mass of an inorganic filler. The paper may contain additives such as a paper strength additive, a sizing agent, a retention aid, and a drainage aids to such an extent that the advantageous effects of the invention are not hindered. The paper may be surface-treated with various starches, a surface sizing agent, or the like by means of a size press, a gate roll or some other device.

The brightness of the paper in used needs to be an ISO brightness of 70% or more. If the brightness is lower than 70%, yellowing based on water is caused. The ISO brightness is more preferably 75% or more. As the brightness is higher, a more preferred result is obtained. If the brightness of the paper in used itself is low, it is impossible to avoid a problem of yellowing based on water even if a manner for raising the brightness, such as addition of a highly white filler, is performed in a subsequent production of a paper-resin composition.

The paper in used is preferably neutral or alkaline pigment-free coated paper. If the paper is acidic, at the time of molding the paper-resin composition, a bad effect, such as corrosion of the mold, may be produced onto the molding. If pigment coated paper is used, synthetic binders, in particular, various latexes used in its coated layer cause the generation of a bad odor or a harmful gas when the paper is heated.

The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product obtained by pulverizing the above-specified paper is preferably 0.1 or more. When the above-mentioned paper is used, a finely cut paper product having an apparent bulk specific gravity of 0.1 can be obtained with relative ease by controlling conditions for the pulverization. If the apparent bulk specific gravity is less than 0.1, the workability may lower remarkably when the finely cut paper product is compounded into a resin.

The finely cut paper product is kneaded into one or more out of various resins, whereby the product is turned into a paper-resin composition. When the proportion of the finely cut paper product is set to 50% or more by mass, an ecologically sound paper-resin composition is obtained. When a biodegradable resin is used as the resin, an ecologically sound paper-resin composition is obtained.

Examples of the synthetic resin used in the invention include general-use resins such as polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene resin, acrylonitrile/styrene resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, and modified resins thereof. These synthetic resins may be newly-synthesized products, or pulverized products or recycled products of used molded products, and may each be a single product or a mixture.

Examples of the biodegradable resin used in the invention include polylactic acid based, polybutylene succinate based, polyvinyl alcohol based, and acetylcellulose based biodegradable resins. These may be used alone or in a mixture form.

In order to make the paper-resin composition into an ecologically sound type, the finely cut paper product and the synthetic resin therein are blended with each other to set the amount of the synthetic resin into 50% or less by mass of the total of the two. About the blending ratio therebetween, the ratio of the finely cut paper product/the synthetic resin preferably ranges from 51/49% by mass to 70/30% by mass. If necessary, aids such as a fluidity improver, an antioxidant for the resin or an antistatic agent may be added as long as no effect is produced onto the advantageous effects of the invention. A small amount of titanium oxide or calcium carbonate may be added to the paper-resin composition to improve the brightness. However, the white filler does not produce an advantageous effect onto yellowing in which water is involved, that is, yellowing based on immersion into water although it appears that the white filler improves the brightness of the paper-resin composition to improve the yellowing in the appearance.

In the case that the paper-resin composition is a composition made mainly of the finely cut paper product and a biodegradable resin, the blending ratio for making the composition into an ecologically sound type is not limited since the two are each biodegradable. When the total amount of the biodegradable resin and a natural organic material is 50% or more by mass, the composition is in conformity with “GREEN PLA”, which is institutionalized by the Biodegradable Plastics Society. When the biodegradable resin is polylactic acid, the use of the blend of the resin with the finely cut paper product makes it possible to expect an advantageous effect that the tensile strength, the flexural modulus and the thermal deformation temperature of the injection-molded product are made better than the use of polylactic acid alone. Actually, the blending ratio of the finely cut paper product to the biodegradable resin is decided, considering the moldability and the quality required for the molded product. Usually, the ratio of the finely cut paper product/the biodegradable resin ranges from 20/80% by mass to 70/30% by mass. In the same manner as described above, the aids or the white filler may be appropriately used.

When a rosin based resin is added to the finely cut paper product of the invention and the biodegradable resin, the fluidity of the paper-resin composition is improved and further softness can be given thereto. Examples of the rosin based resin that can be used include gum rosin, wood rosin, tall oil rosin, and derivatives thereof. Examples of the derivatives include derivatives subjected to various stabilizing treatments, esterifying treatments, and purifying treatments. Particularly preferred is a rosin ester obtained by causing a rosin to react with various alcohols. Examples of the rosin ester include polymerized rosin glycerin ester, tall oil rosin glycerin ester, wood rosin glycerin ester, partially-hydrogenated gum wood rosin glycerin ester, wood rosin pentaerythritol ester, partially-hydrogenated rosin methyl ester, and partially-dimerized rosin glycerin ester.

In this case, the blending ratio of the rosin based resin in the paper-resin composition is preferably from 1 to 15% by mass. If the ratio is less than 1% by mass, the fluidity-improving effect or the softening effect is insufficient. If the ratio is more than 15% by mass, the heat resistance may be deteriorated.

The process for producing the paper-resin composition of the invention may be a method known in the prior art. For example, the finely cut paper product and the synthetic resin or biodegradable resin are weighed to set the ratio therebetween to a predetermined ratio. Thereafter, the components are uniformly mixed by a Henschel mixer or the like. This is made into a homogeneous form at a temperature of 100 to 200° C. by a kneading machine. Thereafter, the resultant is continuously supplied into a feeder of an extruder if necessary. In this way, the blend is preferably made into pellets and granulized.

A molded product wherein the paper-resin composition of the invention is used is obtained by molding the paper-resin composition of the invention made into a pellet form by the same plastic resin molding method as known in the prior art. The molded product obtained by molding the ecologically sound paper-resin composition of the invention is, for example, a cup, a dish, a tray for food, a bowl, a comb, a winding bobbin, a hanger, a calendar holder, and a toothbrush.

EXAMPLES

The invention will be more specifically described by the following examples; however, the invention is not limited to these examples. In the examples, the word “part(s)” and the symbol “%” represent “part(s) by mass” and “% by mass”, respectively unless otherwise specified.

Example 1

Uncoated neutral woodfree paper containing 90% by mass of hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) and 10% by mass of talc (trade name: TALC KB, manufactured by Kamitalc Co.) and having an ISO brightness of 80% was pulverized with a pulverizing device (CS CUTTER, manufactured by Condux Co.), and the resultant was caused to pass through a 100-mesh screen, thereby yielding a finely cut paper product of Example 1. The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product was 0.15. Next, to 100 parts by mass of the finely cut paper product were added 5 parts by mass of titanium oxide (trade name: TIPAQUE A-220, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) as a white filler, 5 parts by mass of a modified polypropylene (PP) resin (trade name: YOUMEX1010, manufactured by San Nopco, Ltd.), and 90 parts by mass of a polypropylene (PP) resin (trade name: J-3054HP, manufactured by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd. Now, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.), and then the components were uniformly mixed with each other by a Henschel mixer. Thereafter, the resultant was charged into an extruder so as to be made into pellets. In this way, a paper-resin composition of Example 1 was yielded. A part of this paper-resin composition was used, and an injection molding machine was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation at a cylinder-set temperature of 180° C.

Example 2

A finely cut paper product and a paper-resin composition of Example 2 were yielded in the same way as in Example 1 except that there was used uncoated neutral woodfree paper containing 80% by mass of hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP), 10% by mass of softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP) and 10% by mass of calcium carbonate (trade name: TP121, manufactured by Okutama Kogyo Co., Ltd.) as a filler and having an ISO brightness of 83% and the paper was pulverized. The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product was 0.12. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Example 3

A finely cut paper product and a paper-resin composition of Example 3 were yielded in the same way as in Example 1 except that there was used uncoated neutral woodfree paper containing 70% by mass of hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP), 15% by mass of softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP) and 15% by mass of calcium carbonate (trade name: TP121, manufactured by Okutama Kogyo Co., Ltd.) as a filler and having an ISO brightness of 85% and the paper was pulverized. The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product was 0.11. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Example 4

To 100 parts by mass of the finely cut paper product yielded in Example 1 were added 5 parts by mass of titanium oxide (trade name: TIPAQUE A-220, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) as a white filler, and 200 parts by mass of polylactic acid (PLA) (trade name: LACEA H-100, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) as a biodegradable resin, and then the components were uniformly mixed by a Henschel mixer. Thereafter, the resultant was charged into an extruder so as to be made into pellets. In this way, a paper-resin composition of Example 4 was yielded. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Example 5

A paper-resin composition of Example 5 was yielded in the same way as in Example 4 except that the finely cut paper product of Example 2 was used as a finely cut paper product. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Example 6

A paper-resin composition of Example 6 was yielded in the same way as in Example 4 except that the finely cut paper product of Example 3 was used as a finely cut paper product. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Example 7

To 100 parts by mass of the finely cut paper product yielded in Example 1 were added 5 parts by mass of titanium oxide (trade name: TIPAQUE A-220, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) as a white filler, 20 parts by mass of a rosin ester (trade name: LACTCIZER GP2001, manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and 180 parts by mass of polylactic acid (PLA) (trade name: LACEAH-100, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) as a biodegradable resin, and then the components were uniformly mixed by a Henschel mixer. Thereafter, the resultant was charged into an extruder so as to be made into pellets. In this way, a paper-resin composition of Example 7 was yielded. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Example 8

A paper-resin composition of Example 8 was yielded in the same way as in Example 7 except that the finely cut paper product of Example 2 was used as a finely cut paper product. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Example 9

A paper-resin composition of Example 9 was yielded in the same way as in Example 7 except that the finely cut paper product of Example 3 was used as a finely cut paper product. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 1

A finely cut paper product and a paper-resin composition of Comparative Example 1 were yielded in the same way as in Example 1 except that there was used uncoated neutral woodfree paper containing 60% by mass of hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP), 30% by mass of softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP) and 10% by mass of talc (trade name: TALC KB, manufactured by Kamitalc Co.) as a filler and having an ISO brightness of 80% and the paper was pulverized. The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product was 0.08. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 2

A finely cut paper product and a paper-resin composition of Comparative Example 2 were yielded in the same way as in Example 1 except that there was used uncoated neutral woodfree paper containing 80% by mass of hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP), 10% by mass of groundwood pulp (GP), and 10% by mass of talc (trade name: TALC KB, manufactured by Kamitalc Co.) as a filler and having an ISO brightness of 70% and the paper was pulverized. The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product was 0.12. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 3

A finely cut paper product and a paper-resin composition of Comparative Example 3 were yielded in the same way as in Example 1 except that there was used uncoated neutral woodfree paper containing 60% by mass of hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP), 30% by mass of groundwood pulp (GP), and 10% by mass of calcium carbonate (trade name: TP121, manufactured by Okutama Kogyo Co., Ltd.) as a filler and having an ISO brightness of 64% and the paper was pulverized. The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product was 0.11. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 4

A finely cut paper product and a paper-resin composition of Comparative Example 4 were yielded in the same way as in Example 1 except that there was used coated paper having a pigment-coated layer on a base paper containing 90% by mass of hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) and 10% by mass of talc (trade name: TALC KB, manufactured by Kamitalc Co.) as a filler and having an ISO brightness of 78% and the paper was pulverized. The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product was 0.15. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 5

A finely cut paper product and a paper-resin composition of Comparative Example 5 were yielded in the same way as in Example 1 except that waste newspaper was used and the paper was pulverized. The apparent bulk specific gravity of the finely cut paper product was 0.08. A part of this paper-resin composition was used to produce an injection-molded product for evaluation in the same way as in Example 1.

The papers used in Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, finely cut paper products and the paper-resin compositions yielded therein were evaluated by methods described below. The results are shown in Table 1.

<ISO Brightness>

It was measured with a PF-10 manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd. The method for operating the device was in accordance with maker's operation manual, and the measurement was made in accordance with JIS P 8148:2001 “Paper, board and pulps—Measurement of diffuse blue reflectance factor(ISO brightness)”.

<Apparent Bulk Specific Gravity>

Each of the resultant finely cut paper products was put into a 2-liter measuring cylinder, and the mass thereof was measured. The mass per unit volume was then calculated.

<MFR (Melt Flow Rate)>

It was measured in accordance with ASTMD 1238-98 “Standard Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer” under the following conditions: the unit of g/10-minutes, test temperature=190° C., and test load=10 kg.

<Kneading-Workability>

The mixing evenness obtained by the Henschel mixer was evaluated on the following criterion:

X: Uneven stirring was observed and felt with the naked eye.

◯: Good stirring was observed and felt with the naked eye.

<Formation of Test Piece>

Each multi-purpose test piece (JIS K 7139 A-model) and each plate, 80×80×3 (mm) in thickness, were formed by means of an F85 manufactured by Glockner Co.

<Color of Injected Molded Plate>

The molded plate, 80×80×3 (mm) in thickness, was judged in accordance with the following criterion on the basis of feeling obtained by seeing it with the naked eye:

xx: Clearly yellowish

x: Slightly yellowish

◯: Non-yellowish, and good

<Injection Molding Odor>

An odor from the molded plate, 80×80×3 (mm) in thickness, was judged in accordance with the following criterion:

xx: A paper-burnt odor, and an offensive odor originating from a latex-decomposed gas were generated.

x: A paper-burnt odor was slightly generated.

◯: No odor was favorably generated.

<Injection Molding Water Yellowing>

Into 30 ml of distilled water was immersed 50 g of an injection molded product cut off from the molded plate, 80×80×3 (mm) in thickness, and then the product was kept at 35° C. for 2 days. Thereafter, the water was filtrated, and the degree of coloring of the water phase was evaluated on the basis of feeling obtained by seeing the water with the naked eye. The evaluation by the feeling was judged on the following criterion:

xx: Yellow

x: Light yellow

◯: Colorlessness

<Tensile Strength>

It was measured in accordance with JIS K 7162 “Plastics—Determination of tensile properties-Part 2: Test conditions for moulding and extrusion plastics”.

<Bending Strength>

It was measured in accordance with JIS K 7171 “Plastics—Determination of flexural properties”.

<Flexural Modulus>

It was measured in accordance with JIS K 7171 “Plastics—Determination of flexural properties”.

<IZOD (Izod Impact Test)>

It was measured in accordance with JIS K 7110 “Plastics—Determination of Izod impact strength” (without any notch)<

HDT (Heat Distortion Temperature)>

It was measured in accordance with JIS K 7191-2 “Plastics—Determination of temperature of deflection under load-Part 2: Plastics and ebonite”.

TABLE 1 Finely Cut ISO Waste Whole Filler Modified Resin PP Paper Product Bright- Coated News- (titanium PP Ester Resin PLA Apparent bulk LBKP NBKP CIP Filler ness Layer paper oxide) (*1) (*2) (*3) (*4) specific gravity Example 1 90 Talc 10 80 Not 5 5 90 0.15 formed Example 2 80 10 Calcium 83 Not 5 5 90 0.12 carbonate 10 formed Example 3 70 15 Calcium 85 Not 5 5 90 0.11 carbonate 15 formed Example 4 90 Talc 10 80 Not 5 200 0.15 formed Example 5 80 10 Calcium 83 Not 5 200 0.12 (*5) carbonate 10 formed Example 6 70 15 Calcium 85 Not 5 200 0.11 (*5) carbonate 15 formed Example 7 90 Talc 10 80 Not 5 20 180 0.15 (*5) formed Example 8 80 10 Calcium 83 Not 5 20 180 0.12 (*5) carbonate 10 formed Example 9 70 15 Calcium 85 Not 5 20 180 0.11 (*5) carbonate 15 formed Comparative 60 30 Talc 10 80 Not 5 5 90 0.08 Example 1 formed Comparative 80 10 Talc 10 70 Not 5 5 90 0.12 Example 2 formed Comparative 60 30 Calcium 64 Not 5 5 90 0.11 Example 3 carbonate 10 formed Comparative 90 Talc 10 78 Formed 5 5 90 0.15 Example 4 Comparative 100 5 5 90 0.08 Example 5 HOT MFR Injection Molding Tensile Bending Flexural (0.48 Kneading- g/10-minutes Plate Water Strength Strength Modulator IZOD MPa) workability 190° C. 10 kg color Odor yellowing MPa MPa MPa J/M ° C. Example 1 ∘ 5 ∘ ∘ ∘ 40 59 4400 52 152 Example 2 ∘ 4 ∘ ∘ ∘ 40 59 4100 48 155 Example 3 ∘ 3 ∘ ∘ ∘ 45 64 4900 44 155 Example 4 ∘ 15 ∘ ∘ ∘ 52 81 6400 57 155 Example 5 ∘ 12 ∘ ∘ ∘ 70 97 9000 60 152 (*5) Example 6 ∘ 11 ∘ ∘ ∘ 56 99 6900 70 152 (*5) Example 7 ∘ 20 ∘ ∘ ∘ 39 54 5400 16 135 (*5) Example 8 ∘ 20 ∘ ∘ ∘ 40 65 5500 18 136 (*5) Example 9 ∘ 11 ∘ ∘ ∘ 41 68 5700 19 138 (*5) Comparative x 1 ∘ ∘ ∘ 50 59 5000 47 155 Example 1 Comparative ∘ 5 ∘ ∘ x 40 59 4100 48 153 Example 2 Comparative ∘ 4 x x x x 43 60 4900 80 155 Example 3 Comparative ∘ 5 ∘ x x ∘ 43 60 4900 50 156 Example 4 Comparative x 0.5 x x x x x x 50 60 5000 29 156 Example 5 (*1): Modified PP: YOUMEX 1010(SAN NOPCO) (*2): Resin ester: LACTSIZER GP2001 (Arakawa Chemical Industries) (*3): PP resin: J-3054HP (Idemitsu Petrochemical) (*4): PLA: LACEA H-100(Mitsui Chemicals) (*5): Examples 5 to 9: Annealing treatment at 85° C. for 30 minutes

In Comparative Example 1, the paper wherein the content by percentage of the LBKP was small was used; thus, the apparent bulk specific gravity was small and the kneading-workability was poor. In Comparative Example 2, the paper containing the GP was used; thus, slightly yellowing was generated by water although the ISO brightness of the paper was high. In Comparative Example 3, the paper containing a larger amount of the GP than in Comparative Example 2 was used; thus, the ISO brightness was low and the plate color was yellowish, and further yellowing based water was generated. Furthermore, a paper-burnt odor was slightly felt when the composition was molded. In Comparative Example 4, the paper having the pigment-coated layer was used; thus, a paper-burnt odor and an offensive odor originating from a latex decomposed gas were felt when the composition was molded. In Comparative Example 5, the waste newspaper was used; thus, the kneading-workability was poor, the plate color was clearly yellowish, and yellowing based on water was generated.

On the other hand, as is evident form the results in Table 1, in each of Examples 1 to 9, a finely cut paper product is obtained which is good in workability when a paper-resin composition made of a mixture of a resin and a natural fiber is produced. In an ecologically sound paper-resin composition using the finely cut paper product, the fluidity is improved, and the moldability is improved when the composition is subjected to a processing such as injection molding. On the basis of these results, the blending ratio of the finely cut paper product can be made as high as 50% or more by mass. As a result, a paper-resin composition more friendly with the environment can be produced. It is also possible to yield an ecologically sound paper-resin composition which contains a finely cut paper product but causes a remarkable decrease of yellowing based on heat in a processing step, in particular, yellowing in which water is involved, and simultaneously restrains the generation of an odor. For example, the composition can be applied to the field of food; thus, the commercial value of the composition can be made high. 

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin, comprising being obtained by pulverizing neutral or alkaline pigment-free coated paper which comprises 70 to 100% by mass of hardwood bleached chemical pulp, 0 to 20% by mass of softwood bleached chemical pulp and 0 to 20% by mass of an inorganic filler, and has an ISO brightness of 70% or more.
 9. The finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to claim 8, comprising one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler.
 10. The finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to claim 8, comprising one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler and having an apparent bulk specific gravity of 0.1 or more.
 11. An ecologically sound paper-resin composition, comprising 50% or more by mass of the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to claim 8, wherein the balance is made mainly of a synthetic resin.
 12. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim 11, wherein the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler.
 13. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim 11, wherein the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler and has an apparent bulk specific gravity of 0.1 or more.
 14. An ecologically sound paper-resin composition, wherein being made mainly of the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin according to claim 8 and a biodegradable resin.
 15. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim 14, wherein the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler.
 16. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim 14, wherein the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler and has an apparent bulk specific gravity of 0.1 or more.
 17. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim 14, wherein comprising a rosin-based resin.
 18. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim 15, wherein comprising a rosin-based resin.
 19. The ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim 16, wherein comprising a rosin-based resin.
 20. An ecologically sound molded article, wherein being molded by use of the ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim
 11. 21. The ecologically sound molded article according to claim 20, wherein the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin contained in the ecologically sound paper-resin composition comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler.
 22. The ecologically sound molded article according to claim 20, wherein the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin contained in the ecologically sound paper-resin composition comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler and has an apparent bulk specific gravity of 0.1 or more.
 23. An ecologically sound molded article, wherein being molded by use of the ecologically sound paper-resin composition according to claim
 14. 24. The ecologically sound molded article according to claim 23, wherein the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin contained in the ecologically sound paper-resin composition comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler.
 25. The ecologically sound molded article according to claim 23, wherein the finely cut paper product for use in mixing with resin contained in the ecologically sound paper-resin composition comprises one or more selected from calcium carbonate and talc as the inorganic filler and has an apparent bulk specific gravity of 0.1 or more.
 26. The ecologically sound molded article according to claim 23, wherein the ecologically sound paper-resin composition comprises a rosin-based resin.
 27. The ecologically sound molded article according to claim 24, wherein the ecologically sound paper-resin composition comprises a rosin-based resin.
 28. The ecologically sound molded article according to claim 25, wherein the ecologically sound paper-resin composition comprises a rosin-based resin. 